George Washington University Athletics
Gymnastics Names Stephanie Worrell as Next Head Coach
7/23/2024 2:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
GW Director of Athletics Tanya Vogel proudly shared today that alumna and now-former Associate Head Coach of the gymnastics program, Stephanie Stoicovy Worrell, has been named Head Coach of the team.
"Like so many women over the past four decades, Steph learned a lot from legendary coach, Margie Foster Cunningham," Vogel said. "Still, what struck our search committee the most was how keenly Steph has listened to our current student-athletes and their needs. Her vision to incorporate so much of GW Gymnastics' history while leading this generation to put their stamp on this storied program uniquely qualifies Steph to be GW's head coach. Congratulations are in order to Stephanie, her family and the entire GW Gymnastics community."
After nine years under the mentorship of the retiring Margie Foster Cunningham, Worrell is taking the reigns of the team she once competed for, having learned the details of running the program under Cunningham's tutelage, first as a student-athlete and then in a leadership role.
"Sending a heartfelt thank you to Tanya for this incredible opportunity as it is an honor to lead the GW Gymnastics program, my alma mater," said Worrell. "I'm beyond grateful for my experience coaching with Margie and everything I learned throughout our time together. Our student-athletes are on a path working diligently towards academic excellence, athletic achievement and human development and I'm elated to work with them. The alumni support for this program is next level and I look forward to being connected with and continuing to grow this phenomenal network. I believe this championship program is greater than the sum of its parts and together, this team and future teams will accomplish greatness through discipline, commitment and respect. I'm excited to bring my passion for student-athlete development, competitive heart and innovative ideas to lead the women of GW Gymnastics."
Named Associate Head Coach in August 2022, that year she helped coach GW to the program's third all-time EAGL crown. She also assisted with the development of NCAA Regional Qualifiers Deja Chambliss and Kendall Whitman, and coached both again to the NCAAs the following year in 2023. This past season, Whitman made her third-straight NCAA appearance, where she was joined by first-year Maya Peters as well as Sarah Zois, under Worrell's coaching. Worrell was instrumental in the gym and out, guiding a program that annually sees record levels of alumnae support and engagement, and thrives in competition, having set a new all-time program record with a 197.200 in a meet in March.
"I am elated for Steph and thrilled for our GW gymnastic community as well," said Cunningham. "There is nobody better suited to lead this program than her. From her time as a student-athlete through her rise to Associate Head Coach, she showed preternatural poise, leadership and consistency, approaching everything she did with an impeccable eye for detail. She knows from top to bottom how to run our program, and her status as an alumnae burnishes what the exceptional women who have competed for the university have accomplished."
"I am very proud of Steph and her promotion as the new head coach," said Chambliss. "This is not only a great opportunity for her coaching career, but for the growth of the GW Gymnastics program. As a proud alumnus, I've seen Steph's love and understanding for this program as both a gymnast and coach. Her commitment to this program will really show in her work with these student-athletes. I had the pleasure of being coached by Steph for five years. During my time as her gymnast, Steph's passion for this sport was visible and I am very excited to see what great things she accomplishes with the next generation of GW gymnasts."
GW saw a five-year run pre-Covid of competing in NCAAs as a team with Worrell as a top lieutenant under Cunningham, punctuated for the Erie, PA native when she was named an EAGL Assistant Coach of the Year and NACGC/W Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2018. She originally took up the coaching profession at GW in 2015 after graduating from GW with a degree in exercise science in 2013.
"Steph embodies everything that a university and team could wish for in a head coach," alumna Anna Warhol said. "She is supportive of her athletes, passionate about GW Gymnastics, carries herself with confidence and holds herself to a standard of excellence. She inspires those around her to continue to grow and be better every day. I remember telling her when I was her athlete that one day she would make an excellent head coach. I am proud that today is that day and cannot wait to watch her step into this new role and continue to Raise Higher!"
A four-year letterwinner, Worrell was a two-time NCAA Regional qualifier as an individual performer (2012, 2013) as a student-athlete. She was also an All-East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) First Team performer on floor exercise and all-around as both a junior and senior. The "Most Consistent Award" was named the Stoicovy after her senior year of competing all-around in every competition. In the classroom she was a two-time selection to the EAGL All-Academic Team and a 2013 Scholastic All-America honoree by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women (NACGC/W).
While coaching in 2019, she received her masters degree from the GW Graduate School of Education and Human Development, as she served as WCGA treasurer from 2017-2023, flashing her all-around bonafides.
Steph and her husband, Chris Worrell, live in the metro DC area and are proud parents of their daughters Eleanor and Rosalyn.
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